Dryden is standing in a deep hole, digging with a small shovel; Ewan stands above with a large shovel. Ewan accidentally swipes mud onto Dryden’s right cheek. Dryden says he needs an ice pack. The teacher asks Ewan to get one. When Ewan demurs, the teacher puts into clear words the idea that one needs to help a friend to whom you have brought discomfort, even if by accident. She promises to reserve the much-coveted large shovel that Ewan is holding. Ewan complies, returning with the ice pack in due haste. Dryden is pleased and places the icepack on his left check, more symbolic than functional given that the insult occurred on his right. As digging resumes, Dryden is wary of the large shovel. Ewan says Dryden needs the might of the big shovel to dig him out. The teacher mediates a compromise. She carefully restates each boy’s concerns, requests, rejections of requests, and their counter-suggestions. Restating helps each boy remember his own and the other’s perspective, making it clear what opposing opinions have to be reconciled while at the same time offering the boys time to propose their own methods of reconciliation or agree to one proposed. Her approach is, “Let’s think about how we can solve this specific problem.”